Bicyclists required to use lights, reflectors at night

Question: Is there a law that says bicyclists riding at night should have headlights? While driving out of a parking lot on South King Street, I came across four bicyclists going east or west with no lights. It was difficult to see them and hazardous, especially with them coming from both directions.

Answer: Yes. Hawaii law requires that bikes ridden at night be equipped with headlamps and reflectors. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 291C-147:

>> Any bicycle used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet ahead.

>> Every bicycle shall be equipped with a red reflector at least 4 square inches in size, mounted on the rear of the bike, that is visible from at least 600 feet to a vehicle behind it that has its low-beam lights on.

>> Every bicycle ridden at night shall be equipped with reflective material at least 4 square inches in size that is visible from both sides for 600 feet, or, in lieu of reflective material, with a lighted lamp that is visible from at least 500 feet.

>> A bicycle or its rider may have additional lights or reflectors beyond what is specified by law.

>> The headlamp described in the first requirement can be attached to the left arm or left leg of the bicyclist (rather than to the bike itself), as long as it meets the requirements.

You can read the full statute at 808ne.ws/bikelight8.

Elsewhere, in HRS 291C-142, state law makes clear that traffic laws apply to bicyclists as well as to motor vehicles. This is true even when bicyclists are in bike lanes. From your description, it appears that the bicyclists you encountered were riding in the King Street Protected Bike Lane, which is limited to bicyclists but does intersect with motor vehicle traffic at cross streets and as cars enter or exit businesses along the route.

“Nite of the Living Will”

It’s a pithy title for a serious topic: The University of Hawaii law school’s Elder Law Program will once again offer its “Nite of the Living Will” event a few days before Halloween, aimed at helping kupuna communicate their wishes for end-of-life care.

The afternoon workshop on Oct. 26 is free and open to the public. It begins at 1:30 p.m. in the law school library at 2525 Dole St. The program is particularly aimed at seniors, family caregivers and service providers, and will focus on decision-making about end-of-life medical treatment and advance care planning, according to a news release.

Professor James Pietsch, director of the UH Elder Law Program (UHELP) at the William S. Richardson School of Law, said the discussion topics will include informed consent/informed refusal, individual instructions for health care, durable powers of attorney for health care, comfort care only, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) bracelets/necklaces and Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).

Heavy topics, to be sure, but it is best to confront these questions before a health crisis occurs.

For reservations, call 956-6544 or email uhelp.edu@gmail.com.

Parking will be available for $5. Refreshments will be served.

Also available at the event: a free handbook for older people and their families and caregivers. “Deciding What’s Next and Trying to Remember …” is the 25th-anniversary edition of the legal guide produced by UHELP in partnership with the city’s Elderly Affairs Division. If you can’t make it to the event and would like a guide, you can pick one up at the school’s front desk.

Mahalo

Mahalo to the older couple I see out walking almost every morning whenever the weather is good. They inspire me! They obviously still enjoy each other’s company, they are friendly to everyone and sometimes they even pick up rubbish along their route. I hope that I am that active and happy when I am their age. — A reader

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.